Branded Plastic Cups

Make Your Events Memorable with Personalised Cups

It's so easy for cups to be lost amongst the noise and excitement of your event, but they can help to shape the feeling that you're trying to bring.

They can be used to emphasise brand messaging and colours, or give the "vibe" that matches what the event is about, whether it's a relaxing festival or outdoor bar area, or a more sophisticated gin tasting pop-up event.

Like the subtle scent of Le Labo in a five-star lobby, drinkware speaks volumes - without a word.

Ever wonder why people still hang onto their TEDx mugs or Coachella water bottles? It’s because those items were curated, and associated with an event where they made memories - and your branding could be all over it.

Thoughtfully. Stylishly. With purpose.

Popular types include:

Stacking Pint Glasses for Festivals and Events

Our special range includes stacking pint cups, ideal for carrying multiple drinks at a festival or large event at a football stadium or rugby game. These disposable cups can be reused multiple times, making them a great investment, whilst also being nice souvenirs for attendees to take home.

They have a large branding area, which makes them versatile for multiple different event styles and campaign types. We have both disposable and reusable cups.

Safe Plastic Glasses for Bar and Club Outdoor or Smoking Areas

When customers are drinking alcohol, it can be dangerous for them to be taking drinks glasses into outdoor areas. This is why many bars and clubs choose to provide punters with plastic glasses for exterior use.

By choosing to brand these plastic glasses, you can maintain the look and feel of your bar or club, and prevent them from looking cheap or tacky. At Steel City, we have a diverse range of cups on offer for bars, including our Plastic Beer Stein, and Reusable Plastic Chalice Cup. Virtually unbreakable, perfect for situations where accidents often happen.

Plastic Cups for Parties and Weddings

If you're holding a big party or a wedding, then customising your very own plastic cups or tumblers can be a great way to theme your day in the perfect style you're looking for. Personalisation of the cups also makes them very personal, which people may choose to take home with them as a memento.

Make the hen party or birthday party extra special with exclusive cups as gifts, part of giveaway bags.

Turn Custom Drinkware into a Marketing Masterpiece

At any gathering, the items people interact with the most are those they physically hold—plates, napkins, and most significantly, beverage containers. These objects are mobile advertising platforms, naturally drawing attention. Fully leveraging them means designs need to go beyond generic.

Expert Tip:

• Choose high-impact designs that contrast effectively with the material. For instance:
  • Metallic foil logos on frosted cups exude elegance for evening events.
  • Full-colour, wraparound prints are ideal for festivals or casual settings where energy and vibrancy are key.

Scenario Insight: Hosting a corporate hospitality event at a busy trade show?

• Custom containers featuring your logo, an event hashtag, or a QR code (directing attendees to a landing page) can connect offline interactions with your digital marketing campaign.
• Incorporating scannable codes turns each drink served into an opportunity to grow your audience and track engagement metrics.

Balance Style with Practicality

The ideal drinkware combines strong functionality and aesthetic appeal. Events with unpredictable factors—like sudden weather shifts at an outdoor venue—require reliable materials that won’t fail under pressure. Reusable products made from polypropylene (PP) plastic, for instance, offer excellent shatter resistance while being lightweight and easy to transport.

Pro Insight: Not all plastics are created equal.

• PET containers (commonly used for cold beverages) provide crystal clarity that highlights colourful drinks or garnishes, ideal for bar service.
• Meanwhile, polycarbonate is better suited for events where durability and heat resistance are priorities, such as pop-up hot chocolate stands at winter markets.

Example:

• At a wine-and-cheese night on a patio, stacking-friendly drinkware with tapered bases reduces tipping hazards while being easy for staff to handle during busy service periods.
• Details like ergonomic rim designs or condensation-resistant finishes further improve usability, enhancing the guest experience.

Demonstrate Leadership with Sustainability

Sustainability has become more than a trend; it’s an expectation. Guests notice when you make environmentally conscious choices, and offering reusable options designed to minimise environmental impact demonstrates responsibility and foresight.

Next-Level Options:

• Compostable containers made from polylactic acid (PLA) or bio-based plastics are ideal for green-conscious events.
• PLA materials break down in industrial composting facilities.
• Recycled polypropylene or reusable hard plastics align with circular economy principles, reducing waste over time.

Example:

• At a local food truck festival, vendors collaborate to use a standardised design of compostable cups.
• Each one includes a printed guide to nearby disposal stations or composting bins, reinforced by event signage.
• Attendees leave satisfied and impressed by the event's cohesive and eco-friendly approach.

Bonus Tip:

• Integrate these sustainable practices into your pre-event marketing.
• Use visuals of eco-friendly materials to promote your event’s green initiatives, building anticipation and aligning with audience values.

Save Time with Hassle-Free Customisation

Sourcing branded drinkware can be streamlined when you work with suppliers offering end-to-end solutions.

The right partner will guide you through selecting materials, creating mock-ups, and managing production schedules, keeping everything consistent across every step.

Practical Consideration:

• Opt for suppliers that provide digital proofing tools.
• With interactive previews, you can visualise how colours and logos will appear on your chosen material under real-world lighting conditions.
• These tools help avoid costly reprints or production delays caused by discrepancies between expectations and final products.

Example:

• For an open-air cinema series, a marketing manager relies on a vendor with variable printing options, enabling them to order a mix of branded designs tailored for each evening’s theme.
  • One week, bold summer cocktails took centre stage.
  • The next, vintage logos tied into a 1980s movie marathon.
• Quickly adapting branding helps the event feel fresh while simplifying logistics with a single, reliable supplier.

At Steel City, we can help get your order right the first time - contact us today for a quote.

Maximise Value Without Sacrificing Quality

When budgets are tight, it’s tempting to prioritise cost over quality, but this approach often backfires.

Cheaper options may fail to hold up during the event or leave a poor impression of your brand.

A better strategy focuses on value engineering: maximising quality while optimising costs through strategic choices.

Advanced Strategy:

1. Adjust order volumes and specifications to unlock economies of scale.
2. Order a larger batch of versatile, reusable cups instead of single-use ones to save money over multiple events while reducing waste.
3. Use neutral base colours—like translucent white or matte black—that work across a variety of branding themes.
4. Customise with cost-effective single-colour prints for striking impact.

Example:

• A medium-sized craft beer company invests in durable drinkware featuring an etched logo design that wouldn’t fade after repeated washes.
• At subsequent events, they encourage customers to bring back their branded cups for discounted refills, fostering loyalty while cutting down on future supply costs.

Leave a Lasting Impression with Personalisation

Great branding doesn’t stop when the event is over. Drinkware can become a keepsake, transforming from a fleeting touchpoint into a long-term marketing asset.

Pro Insight:

• Opt for designs that feel personal or premium.
• Glow-in-the-dark elements, heat-sensitive colour-changing effects, or subtle textured finishes give attendees a reason to keep branded items at home or the office.
• For corporate events, premium options like double-walled tumblers with sleek lids combine functionality with style, positioning your brand alongside quality and utility.

Example:

• At a networking event, tumblers handed out as part of a welcome package serve drinks and become conversation starters among attendees.
• Long after the conference, these items remain on desks and in gym bags, keeping the brand visible in daily life.

Why Custom Drinkware is an Investment in Brand Success

Every decision, from material to print style, communicates something about your brand. Custom drinkware enhances the logistics of serving beverages while also telling a story, extending your marketing reach, and building goodwill among attendees. With careful attention to quality, sustainability, and design, it can be a pivotal part of your event strategy.

Transforming event essentials into a powerful branding tool is an investment that pays dividends in visibility, sustainability, and long-term engagement.

How do I choose the right type of cup for my event?

The type of drinkware depends on several factors, including the nature of the event, beverages being served, and your audience's preferences. Here’s a quick guide to help:

• Material: For outdoor events, opt for durable options like polypropylene or polycarbonate to handle bumps and weather changes. Compostable PLA is ideal for eco-conscious gatherings.
• Size: Tailor cup sizes to your menu. Smaller options (8-12 oz) work well for coffee or wine tastings, while larger ones (16-24 oz) suit beer, cocktails, or soft drinks.
• Design Considerations: Transparent materials like PET showcase vibrant beverages, while frosted or coloured options add a sleek, premium touch.

If your event features varied drinks, ordering a mix of sizes and designs ensures practicality while maintaining a cohesive branded look.

Contact Steel City Today

The Steel City team will be happy to talk to you regarding your personalised plastic cup needs. Contact us today for a free quote and discussion. Phone 0114 275 4150 or email [email protected].

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HIGHLIGHTED TEAM MEMBER

Jennifer Burton | Marketing Executive

With over a decade of design and marketing experience, Jennifer possesses a broad range of marketing expertise covering everything from event planning to digital marketing. Joining Steel City in 2015, Jennifer manages all areas of the company’s marketing, from writing creative content about promotional merchandise, managing social media activity to organising events and direct mail campaigns. Outside of work, Jennifer loves to try new recipes, keeping fit and spending time with her family.

Linkedin | Email: [email protected]

You can meet the rest of the team here.